Common Questions

Common Questions

We offer a coaching package for follow-up support and students can take advantage of that right after taking the course and is normally discounted by 50%. http://www.crsinspector.com/product/coaching-package/

While you cannot market yourself as an “IICRC Certified Senior Carpet Inspector” until you receive that certification from the IICRC, you can refer to yourself as a “Certified Carpet Inspector”, as long as you fulfill the requirements from the CRS course of instruction. CRS will issue a certificate of “Certification” to each student completing the CRS Senior Carpet Inspector Course on the last day of instruction.

I am finding that the average residential inspection in different parts of the country starts at a minimum of $150.00, to a high of $250.00 for a very basic inspection. Sometimes travel fees are the reason for the spread between the low and the high. A simple residential inspection takes about 20 minutes, and writing the report will take another 15 to 20 minutes, as long as some type of inspection writing software is being used (NOTE: There is inspection writing software included in the CRS Inspector course materials). Commercial inspections normally start at around $300.00 and increase depending upon complexity and travel requirements. Additional services for corrective work also can be very profitable for the carpet inspector.

This will vary depending upon the quality of the camera you choose, and how many of the inspector tools you want to purchase ahead of time. The camera is absolutely critical and if you don’t already have a good digital camera, you will need to purchase one. I would suggest you refrain from purchasing a new camera until after you have taken the course, because I will have some specific recommendations. You should plan to spend at least $500 and as much as $1000 for the camera that you will need. As far as tools are concerned, I think you will need a minimum of $300 to get started. You can purchase the entire list of tools necessary along with a case right after the class, or accumulate them as you see necessary and you can purchase specialty tools directly from our site.

Most of the course materials are reference type documents, with the exception of the report writing manual. The main course manual is very well organized and is easily navigated to find needed technical information. This manual will serve as a future reference document for your career as a Carpet Inspector, and is not necessary to memorize any of the information, but simply being able to reference it is what’s important. All of the answers relating to the IICRC exam questions are contained within this manual, and since the exam is an “OPEN BOOK” exam, the important issue is just being able to find the answers to the question that you don’t know, and is not a difficult task with our main course manual. Since report writing is a learned skill that is best taught by a professional, having the report writing manual in advance would be of little help.

As with any new business venture, you must conduct your own market study that is focused on your market area. You can do a search for inspectors from the IICRC web site and determine how many active inspectors there are in or around your area. Keep in mind that some of the inspectors listed may or may not be active. The biggest problem that the inspection industry has is timeliness for inspection services. Many areas have several inspectors, but they are not able to provide inspection services in a timely manner for the person requesting inspection services. This is a big problem for the carpet mills, and they are constantly searching for qualified inspectors that can serve their inspection requests promptly.

You will need to make sure that you have fulfilled the requirements for the prerequisites for the class, which are the CCT. and the RRT. There are qualifying substitutes for the RRT and this information is contained on the registration page. You will need to have a laptop to take this course, as there are at least 7 reports that need to be written during the course, using the electronic software that the IICRC requires for submitting reports, and for learning the software that is provided with the CRS Senior Carpet Inspector Course. And lastly, as in all new learning experiences, come with an open mind and an eagerness to learn something new!

The test fee is $150.00 and is payable directly to the IICRC. You may use a credit card or write a check, but this fee must be sent to the IICRC with the completed test. The instructor is responsible for forwarding all payments and completed tests to the IICRC.

If for some reason a student does not pass the Senior exam, the exam may be retaken by arrangement with your local library or other approved agency. The student must call the IICRC to arrange to retake the exam.

John Carter and Mike West will deliver the highest quality instruction for the Senior Inspector Course. John is not only certified and trained in the field of Carpet Inspection; he also brings over 30 years of successful experience to the classroom in the fields of Carpet Cleaning, Water/Fire Restoration, and Carpet Installation/Repair services. In addition to this John began his career becoming an expert in color repair and sidematch dye correction, and is respected by carpet mills across the country for his expert knowledge of color.
Mike is a nationally recognized expert in the Carpet Industry and has performed Carpet, Flooring and Textile Inspections for over 35 years. He is third generation in the Textile Service industry. He began working in his father’s Oriental rug cleaning business at the age of seven. He has continued in the carpet, textile and flooring industry in various capacities, instructing and consulting with government agencies, major manufacturers of fibers, carpet, and cleaning products as well as running his own textile service, retail and inspection businesses.
By getting your certification from CRS Carpet Inspector University, you can be

No, you will be listed as a “Probationary Inspector” upon successfully passing the IICRC exam. You will be signing a “Probationary Inspector Agreement” with the IICRC that requires submission of at least 10 reports to the IICRC within a year of passing the examination. The schedule for submitting the reports are as follows:
Submit 3 full reports and do not submit any others until you receive notice back from the IICRC that you can submit the next batch.
Submit the next 7 full reports and wait for further instructions from the IICRC. You may be required to submit additional reports or you will receive your final certification from the IICRC for Senior Carpet Inspector.

You will have very little free time during the actual course but most people come a couple of days early or stay over a couple of days to enjoy the many different activities in Southern California or Chattanooga